Definition:Sign of Number

Definition

The sign of a number is the symbol indicating whether it is:

positive, denoted by the symbol $+$

or:

negative, denoted by the symbol $-$.

Hence a number's sign has evolved to define the fact of the number being positive or negative independently of the symbol itself.

Thus:

the sign of $3.14159$ is positive

and

the sign of $-75$ is negative.

Also see

• Definition:Signum Function